Sultan of Selangor voices disappointment with Mahathir's Bugis comments

PETALING JAYA: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed disappointment with former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's remarks on the Bugis community at a recent opposition gathering.
The Selangor Council of the Royal Court chaired by Sultan Sharafuddin also suggests that Dr Mahathir be investigated under the Sedition Act 1948.
The Royal Court secretary Hanafisah Jais issued the statement on behalf of the sultan after a meeting held today.
"Based on the video clip recorded, that has since made its rounds in the social media, Dr Mahathir's statement and accusation where he claimed that the community originated from pirates, robbers and criminals has clearly insulted the Bugis.
"The Royal Council views the remark as totally overboard and can spread hatred and prejudice towards the Bugis community which can then lead to commotion and chaos.
"The Council Members agree to this decree and views that Dr Mahathir should be investigated under the Sedition Act 1948 and any other offence related to it," Hanafisah said.
"Historical facts show that the Selangor Sultanate are Bugis descendants, who are warriors who have fought and defended religion and peace in the Malay archipelago."
"As the former Prime Minister who has lead this country for more than 22 years, Dr Mahathir should be more careful with his choice of words and should be aware of the historic facts of the Bugis descendants," he said.
The Selangor Sultan also reminded all parties, especially politicians, to refrain from using race and ancestry as a "political tool" to gain support as it could jeapordise the nation's harmony and peace.
Mahathir, 92, had claimed at the "Love Malaysia, End Kleptocracy" rally organised by Pakatan Harapan at Padang Timur in Petaling Jaya, on Oct 14, that Malaysia was being led by a Prime Minister who was "a thief, bandit, a robber".
Several parties representing the Bugis community in Malaysia as well as Indonesia have demanded Mahathir to openly apologise over the issue.